Counting device



Nov. 26, 1963 w. BRAME 3,

' v COUNTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 26, 1963 w. BRAME COUNTING DEVICE M m w 4% W m a a M 1Q w Z United States Patent M 3,112,066 COUNTING DEVICE Wesley Brame, 9742 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago 28, Ill. Filed Aug. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 129,592 7 Claims. (Cl. 235-118) The present invention relates generally to counting devices rfor keeping a running total on a number of articles being counted, and more particularly to a counting device which employs an uncomplicated principle and method of operation.

Essentially, the invention comprises a housing having an opening or slot for viewing the interior of the housing which contains a plurality of axially aligned, circular rows of indicia mounted for rotation together about their common axis. In a typical embodiment each row of indicia contains a sequence of numerals with the highest numeral in one circular row of indicia being next below the lowest numeral in the next succeeding row of indicia, and so on from row to row; and each row of indicia is spaced a predetermined distance, in an axial direction, from the adjacent row or rowsof indicia.

Dispose-d between the viewing slot on the housing and the circular rows of indicia inside the housing is shaftlike, opaque masking means mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis about which the circular rows of indicia rotate. Extending through the shaft-like masking means, transversely to the axis thereof, are a plurality of light-transmitting channels, one for each row of indicia, each channel extending through the masking means at a different angle, with the distance between adjacent channels, in an axial direction on the masking means, equal tothe predetermined distance separating adjacent rows of indicia.

When all the above-mentioned elements are assembled and rotated to their rest positions, a first light-transmitting channel is disposed in the line of sight between the viewing slot and.- a first row of indicia, and the lowest numeral on said first row is displayed for view. The other rows of indicia are masked from View by opaque portions of the masking means, the corresponding light-transmitting channels for these other rows of indicia extend-ing at angles not co-linear with the line of sight between said other rows of indicia and the viewing slot.

Each circular row contains the same number of indicia and the rows are mounted for rotation together through a predetermined fraction of a revolution (equal to l/I, where I is the number of indicia on a row) in response to actuation of a counting device operating lever. Thus, with each actuation of the operating lever, the row of indicia which is at that time viewable through the viewing slot and light-transmitting channel in alignment therewith will display a succeedingly higher numeral or succeedingly different indicia, the particular indicium depending upon the number of fractional increments of revolution the circular row has been rotated theretofore.

When the circular rows of indicia have been rotated one full revolution means are actuated to rotate the shaftlike opaque masking means through a predetenmined angle constituting the difference between the directions in which adjacent light-transmitting channels extend. Accordingly, the opaque masking means will be rotated to a position in which the second light-transmitting channel, adjacent the first light-transmitting channel, is disposed in the line of sight between the viewing slot and a second row of indicia, adjacent the first row of indicia. Simultaneously, the first light-transmitting shaft is rotated to an angular disposition in which it is no longer in the line of sight between the viewing slot and the first row of indicia so that the first row of indicia is no longer visible through the slot. The other rows of indicia, beyond the second row, are still masked from View by opaque portions of 3,112,066 Patented Nov. 26, 1963 the masking means. Thus, although all of the circular rows of indicia rotate together, only one row will be visible at a time, and a sucweding row will not be displayed to view until an immediately proceeding row has displayed the highest numeral thereon to view.

The above-described sequence of operation continues from row to row and from light-transmitting channel to light-transmitting channel, each channel being disposed in the line of sight between the viewing slot and the corresponding row oi? indicia at the proper time. In this manner, there is provided a device, relatively uncomplicated from a mechanical standpoint, for keeping track of the running total of a large number of articles being counted, said device not requiring the use of complicated odometer mechanisms as has heretofore been necessary.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the structure claimed and disclosed, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the tollowin-g detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a counting device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the device;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of masking means constituting a portion of the subject invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of masking means.

Referring initially to FIGURES l to 4, there is shown an embodiment of a counting device constructed in accordance with the present invention, said device comprising an external housing 10 provided with a slot or opening 11 for viewing the interior of the device, and, if desired, additional slot-like openings 12 for admitting light into the interior of the housing. Rotatably mounted within the housing is a cylinder 15 around the periphery of which are circumfeerntially arranged several circular rows of indicia 16-19. The circular rows of indicia 16-19 are spaced, in an axial direction, predetermined equal distances apart, and each row contains the same number of indicia, in this case numerals. More particularly, row 16 contains the numerals O to 24, row 17 the numerals 25 to 49, and so forth up to 99 on row 19.

Cylinder 15 is mounted for rotation in increments of of a revolution at a time, and in each of the 25 rotative positions of cylinder 15, one numeral or indicium on each of the rows 16 to 19 will be directly beneath viewing slot 11. i

In order to assure that only one of the rows of indicia 16-19 is visible at any given time, masking means in the form of an opaque shaft-like element 24 is provided (FIGURES 4 to 7). In the instant embodiment the masking means 24 has an octagonal cross-sectional configuration, but this is not essential. The usual criterion for the shape of the masking means, if it is to be polyg onal, is that it have twice as many sides as there are rows of indicia on the cylinder 15.

Extending through masking means 24, transversely to the axis thereof, are a plurality of light-transmitting channels 26-29, one channel for each row of indicia. The distance, in an axial direction, between center lines of adjacent light-transmitting channels is equal to the distance, in an axial direction, between adjacent rows of indicia on cylinder 15, and the light-transmitting channels are equally spaced, in a peripheral direction along the surface of the opaque masking means 24, by a predetermined distance. The dilference in directions in which adjacent light-transmitting channels extend is a predetermined angle equaling 360/2n, where n equals the number of rows of indicia on cylinder 15; and means to be subsequently described are provided to rotate masking means 24 through said predetermined angle in response to one full revolution of cylinder 15.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 6 each light-transmitting channel has a cross-sectional area large enough to expose to view only a single indicium in a row.

When cylinder 15 and masking means 24 are in their rest positions, the lowest numeral on the first row of indicia 16 is positioned directly below the viewing slot 11 in housing 10 and the first light-transmitting channel 26 is located between slot 11 and the numeral 0 on row 16. The other light-transmitting channels 27-29 extend in directions not co-linear with the line of sight between slot 11 and the other rows of indicia 17-19 so that opaque portions of the masking means 24 lie between the other rows of indicia 17-19 and slot 11, covering rows 17-19 from view. As cylinder 15 rotates, the numeral in row 16 visible through slot 11 increases successively, a number at a time.

As the cylinder 15 completes a full revolution, opaque masking means 24 is rotated through said predetermined angle, the effect of which is to align the second lighttransmitting channel 27 in the line of sight between the second row of indicia 17 and slot 11, thereby exposing to view the numeral on row 17. Continued revolution of the cylinder 15 causes a sequential display of successively higher numbers on row 17. It should also be noted that rotation of masking means 24 to a position in which light-transmitting channel 27 is in the line of sight between row 17 and slot 11 also causes the first channel 26 to be rotated to a position in which it is no longer in the line of sight between the first row 16 and slot 11 so that row 16 is no longer displayed to view. The other two rows of indicia, 18, 19 are still covered by opaque portions of masking means 24, each of these rows 18 and 19 being exposed to view upon additional rotation of masking means 24 through said predetermined angle and through two times said predetermined angle, respectively.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5, there will now be described one embodiment of rotating and actuating structure for the subject counting device. Cylinder 115 is fixedly mounted on a shaft 21), opposite ends of which are rotatably mounted in bearings 30, 31 extending through a housing end plate 35 and a housing end wall 39a, respectively. End plate 35 is fastened by rivets 36 to a peripheral flange 37 extending integrally from housing 10 at one end thereof.

Cylinder 15 is rotated of a revolution in response to reciprocal pivotal movement of a lever indicated generally at 39 and located adjacent end plate 35. Lever 39 comprises an inner portion 32 rotatably mounted around bearing 30, an integral intermediate portion 33 extending outwardly through a slot 34 in end plate 35, and an integral outer portion 38 engageable by the finger or hand of the counting device operator. Extending inwardly from lever inner portion 32 is a stub shaft 42 mounting a pawl 41 engaging between teeth 44 of a ratchet fixedly secured to that end of cylinder 15 adjacent lever 39. Rotation of lever 39 in a counter-clockwise sense (as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 5) causes pawl 41 to rotate ratchet 40 and cylinder 15 in a counter-clockwise sense through an angular increment equal to of a revolution.

7 Movement of level 39 in a counter-clockwise sense is limited by a stop pin 72 extending outwardly from end plate 35 (FIGURES 1 to 3). Upon being released, lever 39 is returned to its rest position (abutting a second stop pin 71 extending outwardly from end plate 35) by a compression spring 46 (FIGURE 3) mounted within housing 10 on a base 47 extending inwardly from end plate 35. As the lever 39 returns to its rest position pawl 41 rotates in a clockwise sense (FIGURE 5) against the urging of spring 43, about the axis of shaft 42, out of ratchet space 74, over ratchet tooth 44, and then, in response to the urging of spring 43, in a counter-clockwise sense into engagement with the next ratchet space 73, thereby holding the ratchet and cylinder 15 against rotation in a clockwise sense, while permitting them to rotate in a counter-clockwise sense during the next counterclockwise pivotal movement of lever 39.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5, located at that end of cylinder 15 adjacent bearing 31, are a plurality of depressions 48, corresponding in number to the number of indicia in each of said rows 16-19. Depressions 48 are sequentially engaged by a ball 49 resting in a cup-shaped socket 45 integral with leaf-spring means 50' connected by rivets 139 to the side wall of housing 10. As cylinder 15 rotates, ball '49 moves out of one depression 48, rides along the periphery of cylinder 15, and then drops or clicks into the next adjacent depression 48. This clicking movement of the ball 49 enables the counting device operator to sense when the cylinder has rotated through a complete angular increment, herein constituting ,4 of a revolution, whereupon the operator can release the actuating lever 39, knowing that the desired amount of rotation of cylinder 15 has been effected.

As previously indicated, each revolution of cylinder I15 causes the masking means 24 to rotate through a predetermined angle corresponding to 360/2n where n equals the number of rows of indicia on cylinder .15 or the number of light-transmitting channels extending through opaque masking means 24.

IFIGUR ES 4 and 5 show, in detail, one embodiment of rotatable mounting structure for opaque masking means 24. A shaft 25, to which masking means 24 is fixedly secured, is rotatably mounted in a pair of opposite end bearings 51, 52 extending through housing end plate 35 and housing end wall 39a respectively. Fixed-1y secured to the end portion of shaft 25 adjacent bearing 52 is a knob 54, and wound around bearing 52 is a torsion spring 53 having one end secured to end wall 39a and the other end secured to an adjacent end portion of masking means 24.

In operation, the knob '54 is turned to rotate masking means 24 in a counter-clockwise sense (as seen in FIG- URE 5) to a position in which a pin 69 extending outwardly from masking means 24 engages a second pin 70 extending inwardly from housing '10 to effect a stop for the masking means and line it up in a rest position. When thus positioned, the masking means is urged in a clockwise sense (as seen in FIGURE 5) by torsion spring 53. However, rotation of masking means .24 in a clockwise sense is normally prevented by the engagement of indentations 55 (at that end of masking means 24 adjacent bearing 51) with a pawl 56 mounted on a stub shaft '57 extending inwardly from housing end plate 35. A torsion spring 58 mounted around shaft 57 normally urges pawl 56 in a counter-clockwise sense (as viewed in FIGURE 5). As cylinder 15 completes a full revolution, an outwardly extending projection thereon engages a projection 59 on pawl 56 so as to urge pawl 56 in a clockwise sense about the axis of shaft 57 and against the urging of spring 5 8. This causes a disengagement of pawl '56 from indentation 55, whereupon torsion spring 53 urges masking means 24 in a clockwise sense (as viewed in FIGURE 5 said rotation continuing until the pawl 56 engages the next succeeding indentation 55 in masking means 24.

In the illustrated embodiment that portion of masking means 24 containing indentations 55 has a circular rather than a polygonal cross-section. There are as many indentations 55 as there are sides to the opaque masking means, along a polygonal cross-sectional portion thereof,

and the indentations 55 are spaced apart a predetermined peripheral distance and are separated by a predetermined angular spacing corresponding to said predetermined angle 360/2n) through which the masking means 24 must be rotated in response to a complete rotation of the cylinder 15. Accordingly, assuming a situation where row 16 on cylinder 15 is visible through channel 26 and slot 11, when the masking means 24 is rotated in a clockwise sense (as viewed in FIGURE 5) from a position in which pawl '56 engages one indentation 55 to a position in which the pawl engages the next succeeding indentation 55, the next light-transmitting channel (e.g. 27) is moved into a position to display the next row of indicia (e.g. 17)

Continued rotation of masking means 24, after another full revolution of cylinder 15, will move the masking means 24 through another predetermined angle and aligi light-transmitting channel 28 in position to display to view a third row of indicia 18 on cylinder I15. vIn the same manner, rotation of cylinder 15 through a fourth complete revolution will effect rotation of masking means 24 into a position in which light-transmitting channel 29 is in the line of sight between viewing slot 11 and indicia row 19.

When cylinder 15 has been rotated through a fourth full revolution, and the numeral or indicium 99 on row 19 is being rotated out of View, the opaque masking means 24 is rotated to a position in which light-transmitting channel 26 is once again positioned in the line of sight between viewing slot 11 and the first row of indicia 16 on cylinder 15. It should be noted that at this point masking means 24 has been rotated through an angle equal to 4X360/2n which, in this case, is equal to /2 revolution. In other words, each light-transmitting channel is positioned in the line of sight between slot 11 and its corresponding row of indicia every /2 revolution of opaque masking means 24.

On the surface of masking means 24 is a peripheral row of indicia 65, each indicium being in longitudinal alignment with one of the two opposite surface openings for each light-transmitting channel. Half of these indicia (in this case 4) are the numeral 0, and the other half are the numeral 100. These indicia 65 are visible, one at a time, through a slot 66 in housing 10. During the first half revolution of opaque masking means 24 (that is, during the rotation of masking means 24 through four of said predetermined angles) the numerals 0 are displayed to view through slot 66. During the second one-half revolution of opaque masking means 24, the numerals 100 are displayed to view through slot 66. Thus, during the first half revolution of masking means 24, and the first four revolutions of cylinder 15, slot 11 will display a succession of numbers from 0 to 99 and slot 66 will display the numeral 0. During the second half revolution of masking means 24 and the next four revolutions of cylinder 15, slot 66 will display the numeral 100 and slot 11 will display a succession of numerals from 0 to 99. Thus, the embodiment of the counting device illustrated herein can be used to keep a running total of a succession of articles being counted up to and including 199. If a counting device for keeping track of a larger number of articles is desired, this can be effected merely by extending the cylinder 15 in a longitudinal direction so that it may accommodate a larger number of rows of indicia, and by increasing the number of light-transmitting channels extending through the masking means 24 so that they correspond to the number of rows of indicia on cylinder 15.

When the total number of articles has been counted and a new group of articles is desired to be counted, the subject device may be reset to zero merely by rotating the two knobs 54 and 64 to return the masking means 24 and cylinder 15 to their respective rest positions in which the pin 69 on masking means 24 engages pin 70 on housing in the manner shown in FIGURE 5, and the numeral 0 on indicia row 16 is visible through viewing slot 11 and light-transmitting channel 26.

Other embodiments of actuating structure for masking means 24 may be utilized. For example, pawl 56 and torsion spring 53 may be eliminated, and cylinder projection 60 may be positioned to engage indentations on masking means 24 similar to indentations 55 so as to thus rotate the masking means through the required angle in response to a complete revolution of cylinder 15.

In other embodiments, peripheral indicia 65 on masking means 24 can be replaced with a circular row of numerals, all a multiple of 100, mounted on a cylinder actuated by conventional odometer mechanism operable in response to a half-revolution of masking means 24.

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, the embodiment of shaft-like opaque masking means 24 illustrated therein is of solid construction with light-transmitting channels 2629 in the form of bores. Other embodiments of oqaque masking means may be utilized. For example, the embodiment 67 illustrated in FIGURE 8 is tubular, rather than solid all the way through, and has diametrically opposite windows 68 constructed of transparent material, or left open, if desired.

There has thus been shown a counting device for keeping a running total of a number of articles being counted, said device being simple in operation and construction, and eliminating complicated odometer mechanisms here tofore utilized for this purpose.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A counting device comprising:

a housing;

a cylinder within said housing;

at least two rows of indicia arranged circumerentially around said cylinder and spaced from each other in an axial direction;

an opening in said housing exposing to view portions of each of said rows of indicia;

opaque tubular masking means alongside said cylinder;

the axis of said masking means being disposed in spaced parallel relation to the axis of said cylinder;

a pair of windows on the periphery of said masking means for each row of indicia on the cylinder; each window having a cross-sectional area large enough to expose to view only a single indicium in a row; each window in each pair being spaced diametrically opposite the other window in said pair; each window in a respective pair being spaced in an axial direction from the windows in an adjacent pair by a center-to-center distance substantially equal to the spacing in an axial direction between rows of V indicia on said cylinder;

each window in any pair being equally spaced in a peripheral direction a predetermined distance from the closest window of the adjacent pair;

means mounting said cylinder for rotation from a predetermined rest position;

means mounting said tubular masking means for rotation from a predetermined rest position in which a first pair of Windows is located between the housing opening and a first of said rows of indicia, and an opaque portion of said masking means is located between the housing opening and the other of said rows of indicia;

means for rotating said cylinder;

and means. responsive to rotation of said cylinder through a predetermined angle for rotating the tubular masking means and moving said windows from their rest position through said predetermined peripheral distance to a second position in which said first pair of windows is no longer between the housing opening and said first row of indicia, and in which a second pair of windows, adjacent said first the axis of said masking means being disposed in spaced parallel relation to the common axis of said circular rows of indicia;

light-transmitting channels extending through said masking means transversely to the axis thereof, one

pair, is located between the housing opening and a second row of indicia adjacent said first row. 2. A counting device as recited in claim 1 and comprising manually actuated means for returning said cylinder and said masking means to their respective rest posi- 5 a cylinder within said housing;

tions. channel for each row of indicia;

3. A counting device comprising: each channel having a cross-sectional area large enough a housing; to expose to view only a single indicium in a row;

each channel being spaced in an axial direction, from at least two rows of indicia arranged circumferentially an adjacent channel, by a center line-to-center line around said cylinder and spaced from each other in distance substantially equal to the spacing in an axial an axial direction; direction between rows of indicia; an opening in said housing exposing to view portions each channel extending from the axis of said masking of each of said rows of indicia; means in a direction differing from the direction of opaque shaft-like masking means alongside said an adjacent channel by a first predetermined angle; cylinder; means mounting said shaft-like masking means for the axis of said masking means being disposed in rotation from apredetermined rest position in which spaced parallel relation to the axis of said cylinder; at first of said light-transmitting channels is located light-transmitting channels extending through said between the housing opening and a first of said rows masking means transversely to the axis thereof, one f indicia, and an opaque portion of said masking channel for each row of indicia on the cylinder; means is located between the housing opening and each channel having a cross-sectional area large enough the other of Said rows of indicia;

to expose to view only a single indicium in a row; means actuable to rotate said rows of indicia; each channel being spaced in an axial direction from means responsive to rotation of said rows of indicia an adjacent channel by a center line-to-center line through a second predetermined angle for rotating distance substantially equal to the spacing in an axial the masking means from its rest position through direction between rows of indicia on said cylinder; said first predetermined angle to a second position each channel extending from the axis of said masking n Whi h said first channel is no longer located bemeans in a direction differing from the direction of tween the housing opening and said first row of inan adjacent channel by a first predetermined angle; dicia, and in which a second channel, adjacent said means mounting said cylinder for rotation from a pref rst hannel, is located between the housing opendetermined rest position; ing and a second row of indicia adjacent said first means mounting said shaft-like masking means for r w.

rotation from a predetermined rest position in which A C unting device as recited in claim 4 wherein: a first of said light-transmitting channels is located aid shaft-lik masking means has a polygonal cross between the housing opening and a first of said rows section with twice as many sides as there are rows of indicia, and an opaque portion of said masking of indicia; mean is located between th housing opening d and each of said light-transmitting channels extends th th f id rows f i di i between diametrically opposed sidewalls on said means for rotating said cylinder; polyg nal masking means. means responsive to rotation of said cylinder through A counting device as recited in claim 5 W rein a second predetermined angle for rotating the maska fiISt P Of diametrically pp Side Wells is ing means f it t iti th h id fi t located in the line of sight between the housing openpredetermined angle to a second position in which ing and Said indicia when the masking means is in said first channel is no longer located between the its rest position; housing opening and said first row of indicia, and and said means for rotating the masking means comin which a second channel, adjacent said first chanprises means for rotating the masking means a nel, is located between the housing opening and a position in which a second pair of side walls, each second row of indicia adjacent said first row. adjacent to one Of Said first P of Side Walls, is 4. A counting device comprising: located in said line of sight.

a housing;

at least two circular, axially aligned rows of indicia Within said housing;

said rows being spaced from each other in an axial 7. A counting device as recited in claim 4 wherein said first predetermined angle equals 360/2n, where n equals the number of rows of indicia, and said second predetermined angle equals 360.

direction; means mouning said rows of indicia for simultaneous R fe e Cit d i the fil of thi at t rotation a out their common axis from a predetermined rest position; UNITED STATES PATENTS an opening in said housing exposin to view portions R 9 371 H of each of said rows of indicia; b 2,420j808 Bl is s B22525 opaque shaft-like masking means alongside said circular rows of indicia; 

1. A COUNTING DEVICE COMPRISING: A HOUSING; A CYLINDER WITHIN SAID HOUSING; AT LEAST TWO ROWS OF INDICIA ARRANGED CIRCUMERENTIALLY AROUND SAID CYLINDER AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION; AN OPENING IN SAID HOUSING EXPOSING TO VIEW PORTIONS OF EACH OF SAID ROWS OF INDICIA; OPAQUE TUBULAR MASKING MEANS ALONGSIDE SAID CYLINDER; THE AXIS OF SAID MASKING MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION TO THE AXIS OF SAID CYLINDER; A PAIR OF WINDOWS ON THE PERIPHERY OF SAID MASKING MEANS FOR EACH ROW OF INDICIA ON THE CYLINDER; EACH WINDOW HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA LARGE ENOUGH TO EXPOSE TO VIEW ONLY A SINGLE INDICIUM IN A ROW; EACH WINDOW IN EACH PAIR BEING SPACED DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE THE OTHER WINDOW IN SAID PAIR; EACH WINDOW IN A RESPECTIVE PAIR BEING SPACED IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION FROM THE WINDOWS IN AN ADJACENT PAIR BY A CENTER-TO-CENTER DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE SPACING IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION BETWEEN ROWS OF INDICIA ON SAID CYLINDER; EACH WINDOW IN ANY PAIR BEING EQUALLY SPACED IN A PERIPHERAL DIRECTION A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM THE CLOSEST WINDOW OF THE ADJACENT PAIR; MEANS MOUNTING SAID CYLINDER FOR ROTATION FROM A PREDETERMINED REST POSITION; MEANS MOUNTING SAID TUBULAR MASKING MEANS FOR ROTATION FROM A PREDETERMINED REST POSITION IN WHICH A FIRST PAIR OF WINDOWS IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HOUSING OPENING AND A FIRST OF SAID ROWS OF INDICIA, AND AN OPAQUE PORTION OF SAID MASKING MEANS IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HOUSING OPENING AND THE OTHER OF SAID ROWS OF INDICIA; MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CYLINDER; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ROTATION OF SAID CYLINDER THROUGH A PREDETERMINED ANGLE FOR ROTATING THE TUBULAR MASKING MEANS AND MOVING SAID WINDOWS FROM THEIR REST POSITION THROUGH SAID PREDETERMINED PERIPHERAL DISTANCE TO A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID FIRST PAIR OF WINDOWS IS NO LONGER BETWEEN THE HOUSING OPENING AND SAID FIRST ROW OF INDICIA, AND IN WHICH A SECOND PAIR OF WINDOWS, ADJACENT SAID FIRST PAIR, IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HOUSING OPENING AND A SECOND ROW OF INDICIA ADJACENT SAID FIRST ROW. 